Bright Beginnings Academy

by Darwin Singleton

Because Bright Beginnings is making Aaron's spirit bright, The Kirbys and Spectrum Collision wanted to make a financial contribution that will help Bright Beginnings Academy with their move to a newer, bigger building where enrollment can grow and more children can be taught.

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) —

David Kirby is used to fixing damaged cars at his business, Spectrum Collision in Mobile.

But when it came to dealing with his son, Aaron's learning disorder, he didn't know what to do.

"He'd stay up for hours and hours at night, going over things that, you knew he knew the material. And we'd assume he'd have a good grade, but instead, he'd fail it. And we couldn't understand that."

David knew Aaron was smart, but he and his wife didn't know where to turn until someone suggest a little school called Bright Beginnings Academy.

Gina Englund is the administrator, and it didn't take long before she recognized the problem.

Aaron was trying to learn but was shackled by something called Dyslexia; it causes words and letters to appear differently from those who don't have it. But Gina says it's more than that.

"Hearing the language, speaking the language, writing the language... all of that in a nut shell. It's a language disorder."

Aaron was enrolled at Bright Beginnings.

And mom and dad started seeing some changes... positive changes...

"It was gradual, you know. We would have doubts at times."

"He had to relearn a lot of things, and when he did you could see, you know, see the light bulb come on, exactly."

"That must have been exciting!"

"Very exciting. You know, it's always wonderful when you can know what the problem is and you can find a way to fix it."

Exciting, too, for Gina. She watches as each child begins to realize their full potential. It's life changing.

"The children have a wealth of things to offer society."

"They're thinkers?"

"Big thinkers. So we don't want to lose these big thinkers!"

And because Bright Beginnings is making Aaron's spirit bright, The Kirbys and Spectrum Collision wanted to make a financial contribution that will help Bright Beginnings Academy with their move to a newer, bigger building where enrollment can grow and more children can be taught.

David Kirby's hope?

"To reach out to as many children as possible. One in five kids are diagnosed with this and a lot of parents just don't know it."

...parents and children who need a bright beginning to help make their spirits bright.